West Hilmar Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
West Hilmar Wildlife Area is 313 acres of CDFW land in Merced and Stanislaus counties, in CDFW's Central Region. Title 14, Section 551 lists it as Type C: open daily for hunting all legal species without a hunting pass, except where CDFW's area rules say otherwise. CDFW limits hunting here to: Waterfowl, quail, dove, pheasant, and rabbit only. It lies in deer Zone A, where CDFW estimates 9,184 deer were taken in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Rules: CDFW's 2026-2027 land use regulations (updated July 1, 2026). Boundary and acres: CDFW. Zones: CDFW. Land around it: CPAD 2026a.
CDFW landState parkWest Hilmar WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 313 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
| Counties | Merced and Stanislaus |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Species that may be hunted | Waterfowl, quail, dove, pheasant, and rabbit only. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Crows Landing (5 mi), Newman (5 mi) and Hilmar-Irwin (7 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for West Hilmar Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, West Hilmar WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. |
| Species that may be hunted | Whole area | Waterfowl, quail, dove, pheasant, and rabbit only. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for West Hilmar Wildlife Area has maps and contacts. Deer, elk and pronghorn hunting also follow the zone's own season and tag.
What does CDFW say about West Hilmar Wildlife Area?
West Hilmar Wildlife Area is 340 acres of oaks, cottonwoods and grasslands. The great blue heron and great egret are common here. The property was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1994.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Type C: West Hilmar Wildlife Area does not require the purchase of a hunting pass for entry. Entry permits and/or passes or special drawing may be required for hunting on some Type C wildlife areas.
CDFW lists upland game birds and waterfowl hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for West Hilmar Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is West Hilmar Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of West Hilmar WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 313 | 9,184 deer taken in 2025, 34.2% hunter success; 2026 general season August 8 to September 20 |
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around West Hilmar Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 1,146 acres of CDFW land and 56 acres of state park land.
How do you get to West Hilmar Wildlife Area?
CDFW's location note: On the east side of the San Joaquin River, approx. 4 miles downstream from Hills Ferry. Highways within 8 miles: CA 33, I-5, CA 165 and CA 140. Nearest towns: Crows Landing (5 miles), Newman (5 miles), Hilmar-Irwin (7 miles) and Stevinson (8 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on West Hilmar Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Species: Waterfowl, quail, dove, pheasant, and rabbit only.
Can you camp on West Hilmar Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list West Hilmar Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is West Hilmar Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone A, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 9,184 deer were taken in Zone A in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to West Hilmar Wildlife Area?
Crows Landing (5 miles), Newman (5 miles) and Hilmar-Irwin (7 miles), by the Census Bureau's places.
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Where these facts come from
- Rules: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations.
- Boundary and acres: CDFW public access lands (BIOS ds3077); CDFW, West Hilmar Wildlife Area.
- Zones: CDFW BIOS zone layers. Surrounding public land: California Protected Areas Database (CPAD) 2026a.
- Deer harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025).
FilledTag is not part of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.